Networking is the art of establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with other people that are connected to the area of interest with you. To take advantage of the benefits of networking you need to be active in the exchange of experiences, knowledge and contacts with other members of the network. Only in this case, when the communication is two-way, you will have a valuable relationship based on trust.

Popular networking opportunities are fairs, conferences and other business events, seminars and social gatherings. This can be organized by various business associations, institutions, organizations supporting business and other interest groups. “Online” network allows establishing exchange of knowledge and gain contacts in the world. If you invest enough time and energy, your circle of people can be a significant business asset and your advantage.

Networking with people from their own and neighboring profession can be useful at the time when you want to change your job, get fired, or expand your activities to other areas. Also in situations when you want to get to the actual information about trainings and business events that worth to attend and learn about new trends in the labor market or education. It also serves to increase your visibility and build your own brand, and if you are an entrepreneur in this way it will help you to sell your product or service – people are “buying” people and humanity and rarely marketing brochures. One part of the new business and customers is generated through personal contacts like networking is. If you look how recommence and develop your own business, networking is essential.

How to start?

1. Explore what interesting is happening in your environment

2. Organize and prepare yourself for the arrival

3. Familiarize yourself with the rules

4. Send e-mail to new contacts after the event

5. Networking “online”

In general, people tend to associate with the aim of generating new business, they tend to point to assess whether or not a person that standing across them could be of some help. If that assessment is that they would, people tend to hold a conversation in those subjects that are working for them and where they are strong. If the estimates are that they don’t have a common interest with the person, mostly they will keep understandably short with her, find a way out of the situation and move on. Some others tend to keep talking in order to get to know someone better. Also, they need at least three minutes to make an assessment and take a decision, but you can definitely take some time to get away from the conversation. They will prefer early and move on to personal topics of the opposite sex, but after talks it will be complete and in-depth picture of interviewees.

Tips on how to better “networked”

Be original and highlight what you think is unique for you. The best opportunity for this will be the moment when you meet someone. Do not miss a chance to give him your business card or something that you can present yourself and do not be shy (it is very important to have a differentiated what is that you want or what you can do). What you will get from networking-directly depends on the time and effort you invest, invite people you meet and get to know each of them. It is likely to return the favor and introduce you to people they know.

Broaden your horizons by getting the mix and meet with people who do not like your job, do not think like you, do not speak and do not behave like you. This will help you to load the ability to think in a new way, and it may happen that you end the call, creating new business opportunities for each other. Do not be afraid to ask for support, assess the idea together and seek in areas that are not your domain. If you had a negative experience in networking, learn from it. Networking is in dealing with people, relationships are in effective communication that is a skill that can be learned.

Your contacts need to have information that is relevant to your current or future job. So you can from “first hand” to find out about current affairs, the new opportunities for advancement and training and most of vacancies, which represent the hidden job market. In fact, many jobs are never advertised a formal way, but are filled through the existing network of contacts which companies develop the business. This is called the “hidden job market” and can be accessed through the contacts that you establish.

In case you are before the first employment and have no experience, you meet people who can help you to determine you closer what all professions in which you want to include means, and information to help you to get to the vision of what is needed, with your knowledge, skills and interests fit. This does not mean you have to assume their duties and create conflicts – however it seems justified for existential reasons, this move is even worse if the person has the stronger network of contacts.

Networking can ease us the path to employment. It is important to know that for many employers the advantage when a person applies for a job has a wide circle of professional acquaintances. In addition, employers often hire people who are recommended by their employees. There is still prevailing negative opinions about networking and is mainly identified like job get through someone. However, networking is recommendation in the true sense. A lot of private companies practice this kind of work. Their employees will not risk their reputation, but it is not a job for the sake of someone who will not meet expectations. Therefore, it is advisable to develop your network and gain contacts.

Remember that reputation built up can collapse in seconds, so do not try to apply, but looking for a way to collaborate and synergize. Ethics is a prerequisite for good jobs and long-term cooperation, networking is not a tool for unscrupulous break into the labor market – people can cheat once.